East Congress - Level 3
East Congress is a backcountry route in Yavapai County, Arizona, set in the desert foothills near the town of Congress on BLM land. The route follows unpaved roads through Sonoran Desert scrub and low hills.
It makes a good half-day outing for drivers who want a quiet desert drive without a long trip from the Wickenburg and Prescott areas.
Trail Summary
- LocationYavapai County, Arizona
- Distance12.8 miles
- DifficultyLevel 3
- Elevation2,836 ft to 3,183 ft with a 347 ft change
- Travel Time1 hour 23 minutes
Difficulty
Best suited for a high clearance 4x4
Level 3 is Moderate and best suited to a high clearance 4x4. Expect uneven, rutted dirt with loose rocks and sandy washes. The sandy washes are the section that needs special attention on this route, so keep steady momentum and pick your line before entering. Obstacles such as ledges, drops and short steep grades can reach about 12 inches, and careful tire placement may be needed. Water crossings, if any, should be under a foot deep, and mud holes are possible after rain. The road is typically one vehicle wide with places to pass.
Terrain
The route crosses sandy washes and open desert scrub, with low hills around it. Surfaces are mostly dirt, with loose sand in the wash bottoms.
Highlights
The desert scrub setting and the wash crossings give the drive a quiet, open backcountry feel on public BLM land.
Trail GPS File
Map
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